Discover how a local DC site played a pivotal role in the making of the United Nations. Students will explore the historic property through the lens of the “Dumbarton Oaks Conversations” when delegates from the Big Four nations met to deliberate proposals for an international organization dedicated to peace. They will analyze the 1945 proposal, examining its priorities, structure, & symbols of power, then design their own version, reflecting on values, representation, & systems of governance.
15 mins: Intro, background, history on Dumbarton Oaks and the DOC (Music Room)
Dumbarton Oaks education team will provide a brief overview of the history of DO and its connection to the United Nations. Students will be led to the Music Room where the bulk of the conferences took place and view images and reproductions of the meetings that took place there. By the fireplace in the Music Room, students will listen to a recording of FDR’s fireside chat explaining to the American public about a new organization for peace.
45 mins: Primary Source Analysis and Design Activity; students learn about the structure of the UN discussed at DO and create their own version
Using this graphic as the basis of the activity, students will discuss the ideal image of the UN presented by the US government at the time of the DOC. What was the structure of the organization? What do the subcategories tell us about the government’s priorities? What else do they notice (e.g. the prioritization of different flags at the top)?
In groups of 3-5 (depending on overall group size), students design their own version of the United Nations based on what they have analyzed in the graphic. Would their structure look the same or different? Which top 3 values of those listed would they choose, or would they add other ones?
Students will come together and share as a group, engaging in civil discourse about the structure of the ideal UN as they see it today.
20 mins: Tour of Gardens
With this activity, students will connect the founding of the UN more specifically to the property at Dumbarton Oaks. We will take a tour of the garden using primary source photos on transparency film to show where the delegates met throughout the property, and how these “backdoor” meetings played a role in the proposals that came out of the conference.
10 mins: closing/reflection and surveys
Students will reflect on what they learned in both activities and make connections to present-day events, UN meetings, issues, etc.